Apr 28, 2020

(NAPA, CALIF.) – Napa County announced today the expansion of free COVID-19 testing through a collaboration recently announced by Governor Gavin Newsom with Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) and Verily.

“Governor Newsom has identified six indicators to safely and scientifically evaluate how the shelter-at-home will gradually be modified and the State of California will re-open” said Supervisor Diane Dillon, Chair of the Napa County Board of Supervisors. “The availability of testing is the initial piece of the first indicator; we are grateful to have this opportunity and partnership to expand testing in Napa County.”

“It is our honor to work with leadership as competent as Governor Newsom and Napa County Public Health to expand free testing and serve their local community of farmworkers and those on the front lines,” said CORE co-founders Sean Penn and Ann Lee. “The NGO / local governance partnership is a replicable model throughout the country, and we hope to encourage more of it.”

Community members Rob and Lydia Mondavi introduced this partnership to Napa County Public Health after Ms. Mondavi reached out to members of the CORE Response Team in an effort to expand testing to Napa County’s farmworker community. Ms. Mondavi has engaged local physician Dr. Ingrid Hohimer McNicoll and the Napa Valley Vintners in this effort.

“CORE has been instrumental in gaining access to testing and results. They have tried and true methods and understand how to deploy in emergencies such as COVID-19, and I am grateful to have CORE working with us to serve the Napa community. It is remarkable how fast CORE was prepared and willing to mobilize, and it is heartwarming to see the community come together to support this effort,” states Lydia Mondavi.

The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) have sponsored the effort, underwriting some of the associated hard costs. “Napa Valley Vintners is proud to be able to help bring this critical testing to our community, and we are deeply grateful to the volunteers and frontline medical professionals who will help carry it out,” said Napa Valley Vintners President & CEO Linda Reiff.

Verily’s Baseline COVID-19 Program provides a connected solution to support individuals from screening through testing and receipt of their test results. Verily developed The Baseline COVID-19 Program working closely with state and local government health authorities and other private health organizations to expand access to COVID-19 screening and testing in areas with a high volume of known cases. The Baseline COVID-19 Program uses an online portal that enables Napa County residents to screen their symptoms for testing. Those with symptoms like fever, cough, or shortness of breath will be able to schedule a test online. Priority is given to symptomatic persons. Asymptomatic first responders or those who work in a healthcare facility or prison/jail that live or work in Napa County that may have been exposed to COVID-19 are also eligible for testing. The screening and testing criteria are based on public health guidelines and may be updated to reflect the latest guidance from public health authorities. .

Napa County residents may visit www.countyofnapa.org/COVID19TEST or call (707) 253-4540 for comprehensive information about COVID-19 testing available in the community. Napa’s webpage will link to the Baseline COVID-19 Program available at www.projectbaseline.com/study/covid-19/ where community members can screen their symptoms and schedule a testing appointment if eligible. If individuals are eligible for testing based on criteria from the California Department of Public Health, details on when and how to be tested at the Napa Valley Community-based Testing Site (CBTS) will be provided. COVID-19 test results will be returned via the Baseline portal by email or phone when complete.

Low to moderate-income residents who test positive, and need to self-quarantine, will be encouraged to apply for emergency financial assistance through a program established by Napa Valley Community Foundation.

For those in the eligible group for testing, entry to the site is only open to people in four-wheel, closed-top, non-commercial, non-recreational vehicles. Walk-ins will not be permitted access to the site. Individuals must have an appointment and will be asked to provide their confirmation information upon arrival at the testing site.

ABOUT CORE

CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and strengthening communities affected by or vulnerable to crisis. Within hours of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, founder Sean Penn mobilized a powerful network to take immediate action. More than 10 years later, CORE continues to lead sustainable programs focused on four pillars: emergency relief, disaster preparedness, environmental resiliency and community building. The organization has expanded beyond Haiti to support communities in The Bahamas, Puerto Rico and the United States. CORE has taken an active effort in the COVID-19 response to provide free testing for high-risk individuals. More information:www.coreresponse.org/COVID19 and connect with CORE on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The Board of Supervisors and staff of Napa County are dedicated to preserving and sustaining Napa County for present and future generations as a community with generous open space, a thriving agricultural industry and a quality human and natural environment. Visit us on the web at www.countyofnapa.org, or follow us on social media — @CountyofNapa on Twitter or Napa County, California on Facebook.